Missed me?

We had tons of fun while Andrew visited. I told you about a few things in the last post so here is the rest. The rest of our Saturday consisted of some serious arts and crafts. Michael and Andrew made Napkin Origami. We also made origami stars from a kit I've been having for who knows how long. Here is a rocket and some stars.
We decided on Emeril's root beer glazed pork chops to accompany our farmers' market purchases.
I made vanilla cupcakes with a whipped cream frosting topped with fresh strawberries and lime jello glaze. They tasted like strawberry shortcake. yum! Another hit from my 500 cupcakes book. Saturday evening continued with my second viewing of Tartuffe at Live Arts. On Sunday we went to Michie Tavern to have midday fare at The Ordinary.

Michael had this weekend off and on Saturday we decided to take Theo to the dog park for the first time. He was extremely well behaved and had a blast. There were only a few dogs when we got there but by the time we left there were at least 10 other dogs. He was so filthy so we decided to take him down to the river. There were a few dogs there swimming after a ball and Theo jumped in without a second thought. I didn't get many pictures because we let him off leash and I was paranoid that he would run away. After realizing that the other dogs didn't want to play with him he did decide to do a little exploring so we put him back on the leash and headed home to bathe him and do some intense spring cleaning.
I also worked on a cupcake collage which I made using scrapbook paper and the pattern I made for Christmas ornaments. I'm going to put it in the kitchen above the sink. I'm very pleased with how it came out.
My last day at the high school and the elementary school was this past Monday. Last week the ESL teacher at the elementary school was out so I went to school and basically subbed for her. The two third graders wrote me thank you notes on Monday. If I had a scanner I would scan the one that said that I am the best teacher ever. How cute. The ESL teacher gave me some Lindt chocolates and a magnetic notepad which reads "You are an angel of a teacher." The students in the high school ESL class signed a card for me. They are so appreciative. I really had a great time with them.

Michael left for Nassawadox yesterday. His lodgings are pretty crusty. Upon entering he found a dead mouse and lots of crickets. He acquired a vacuum today and things are a bit better.

Tomorrow will be my last day volunteering at the upper elementary. I start training for summer camp on Monday.

Walking the... cat?

Andrew is here visiting for a few days. Yesterday morning we saw this strange sight across the street. Yes, it's a cat.

We went to Fridays after Five with Pete and Christie. Then we came home to cook chicken schwarma, hummus and pitas, and salad with feta, olives, and vinaigrette. While the men cooked dinner I attempted to create Lucy's famous chocolate meringue pie. My double boiler was too small so I made do with two pots and I didn't let the custard get thick enough. So the pie is a little on the jiggly side. However, the meringue did turn out well.

I should also tell you that Michael and I went to a concert on Monday night at the Outback Lodge which is within walking distance of the house. Stephen Steinbrink played first. Then The Woes played. They were really great. Elvis Perkins in Dearland was the main act. They were fantastic as well. I read somewhere that Elvis Perkins has been compared to Bob Dylan- just to give you an idea. It was difficult to stay awake past 10:30. Overall, it was good to get out and do something we don't normally do.

Back to the present. We went to the City Market this morning and got breakfast and vegetables and strawberries for dinner tonight. Chive mashed potatoes, roasted squash and zucchini, and either root beer glazed pork chops or chicken picatta are on the menu. I am considering making a strawberry dessert.

I think I might paint today. I have an idea for a painting for the kitchen. I'll keep you posted.

Extreme Makeover

Yesterday I had a play date with Gemma (my German Shepherd bestie). Gemma's people have a fenced in yard so we can run around. They also had a mud puddle that Gemma dug (bonus!). I think it was the best day of my life. Well, until I got home and had a bath.

Before

After

Rosy

The mystery plant is growing quickly now. I think it is really happy on its window ledge. (Why is everything underlined?!)

I woke up this morning with an envie for a cinnamon roll and coffee so we headed for the weekly City Market. When we got in the car we noticed that the rose bush behind our house was blooming. Lots of buds! They smell so lovely. The best part is I didn't even do anything. I guess now we have to figure out how to care for a rose bush. I don't know what kind of rose it is but I think I shall call them "Mimi Roses" since they remind me of her roses.
Oh and I did get a cinnamon roll and coffee. (Didn't want to leave you with a cliffhanger there.) Props to The Baker's Palette for making a phenomenal cinnamon roll. We were glad to see lots of veggies and strawberries at the market, but we hadn't planned any meals for this week. We made a note to do that before we go next week.

Theo's Big Break

Theo is on a trading card! When I opened his bag of dog food this month I saw a prize. It was a trading card with a dog on it. You can go on Blue Buffalo's website and make a card for your dog. Then you can browse other dogs (or cats). We're hoping the photo's quality is good enough that the company will want to print his card. We're keeping our fingers crossed.

The Extent of Theo's Laundry Doing

Oh.. you said fold them? I thought you said jump in the basket and take a nap on daddy's white t-shirts.

Why we like to call him "Kitty"

Leah's visit to C-ville

Leah graced us with her presence this past weekend. Saturday we went to the Downtown Mall, had dinner at Bang!, an Asian tapas restaurant that boasts to have the best martinis in c-ville, and then we went to Live Arts, a local theater where Michael and I saw Sweeney Todd, to see Tartuffe, a play by Moliere. *update* Here's a link to the review of the play in C-ville Weekly. It was everything I could do not to let out belly laughs. We did not expect the play to be so funny. It's a small theater and general admission seating in the balcony is $10 so if you wanted to buy that small bottle of Cava to enjoy with your friend then it is surely economical.

On Sunday Leah and I went south to hike to the top of Crabtree Falls. The weather was perfect and it was a manageable hike for us flat-landers. The drive there was about an hour and 20 minutes.

We made it to the top! We might have considered turning back at one point. We'll blame it on the change of altitude...
The June issue of Living arrived Monday. Leah and I made the Strawberry Shortcake Cookies found on the last page. All I have to say is that they are worth every second of chopping strawberries into tiny pieces (especially if your friend is doing most of that). Don't you want to be my neighbor?We went to Short Pump to check out DSW, H&M, and Crate and Barrel before it was time to drop Leah off at the airport in Richmond. It was such an enjoyable visit. We played Guitar Hero, thanks to Roger, and Leah even got to see the friendly groudhogs that live on the Lowe's hill. They are probably one of my favorite things about this town.

Green Thumb

Can you see it? It's tiny, but it's there! Try clicking on the picture then it should be bigger. This is either lavender or burning love. I can't remember which pot is which. Aunt Lydia gave the two kits to me for Easter. Thanks, I'm enjoying them!